At the start of every New Year, many people make hasty New Year's resolutions which are often abandoned before the end of January.
Common resolutions for the New Year include giving up smoking, losing weight and exercising more; although these resolutions may not necessarily be unrealistic, people often expect unrealistic results, or results too quickly. Consequently, many people 'fail' at keeping New Year's resolutions; give a little a bit of extra thought in the making of resolutions for the New Year and see the difference.
Realistic New Year's Resolutions
Most people fail at keeping New Year's resolutions because the goal is too unrealistic; for example, wanting to lose weight is not an unrealistic resolution, but imposing a unrealistic deadline for the goal can lead to a case of New Year's resolution 'failure.' However, making a New Year's resolution to win the lottery by March is statistically an unrealistic resolution.
The important thing to remember about making realistic resolutions for the New Year is that resolutions can always be revised; for example, losing weight may be taking longer than expected. However, look at what has been achieved so far and extend the goal time; it doesn't have to mean a person has 'failed' in a resolution.
Specific New Year's Resolutions
As well as being realistic in making New Year's resolutions, a person also needs to be specific. If a New Year's resolution is to give up smoking, know how it is going to be achieved, in addition to making a resolution to do it.
If a resolution is something more ambitious, such as learning how to become the next Victoria's Secret fashion model, it's wise to learn how to become a fashion model first. If it becomes difficult to achieve the New Year's resolution, revise actions before continuing; this will make it easier to achieve the eventual goal.
Personal and Family New Year's Resolutions
Some people choose to make personal New Year's resolutions either to better themselves or to help family and friends; some personal New Year's resolutions may include:
- making more time for family
- keeping in touch with friends more
- losing weight
- exercising more
- eating a more healthy diet
- relaxing more
- giving up smoking/drinking
- helping family more
- learning something new
- saving more money
- reducing loans and debts.
Career and Business New Year's Resolutions
Some people are focused on making new career and business resolutions for the New Year; career and business New Year's resolutions may include:
- learning how to set up a new business
- learning how to promote a business on the web
- taking a degree course
- be more effective in business communications
- being a better manager.
Helping Others Through New Year's Resolutions
Resolutions for the New Year don't have to be just about oneself, family and business; New Year's resolutions may include:
- becoming a volunteer for a local organization or charity
- becoming a sponsor/mentor for a young person/recovery addict
- making regular contributions to a world wide charity
- being more environmentally aware
- recycling more products
- reducing carbon footprints
- helping a neighbor in need.
How to Keep New Year's Resolutions
Once realistic New Year's resolutions have been made, learn to keep resolutions by writing them down, as it makes them more 'real'. Remember to take small steps to achieve the ultimate resolution and revise actions if it appears that it is going to 'fail'. The New Year is traditionally a time of change but only make a New Year's resolution if it is realistic and achievable – and not because someone else expects it.
RES101
Sharon Falsetto - Sharon Falsetto is a business owner, certified clinical aromatherapist & professional writer with a life-long interest in plants.
